Bill Simmons didn’t hold back following the New England Patriots’ loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, targeting head coach Jerod Mayo with sharp criticism.
“This spring, Jerod Mayo needs to find an author to help him write a book called Scared Football,” Simmons wrote on X. “Just list all his timid concepts and strategies — punting on 4th and 1, running the ball on 3rd and 16 to set up long field goals, everything. SCARED FOOTBALL.”
Simmons, a Massachusetts native and passionate Boston sports fan, has been vocal about his disappointment with Mayo, previously labeling this Patriots team as “the worst-coached since Rod Rust,” who led the team in 1990.
He believes Mayo needs to be more aggressive, and the first-year head coach’s cautious decisions in Week 12’s humiliating loss only added to Simmons’ frustration.
Simmons didn’t just criticize Mayo, however. He also called out team owner Robert Kraft, describing the game as a low point in a season filled with bad coaching, questionable decisions, and penalties. “This team is getting worse,” Simmons wrote. “Kraft will do nothing and bring everyone back. No way he pays two coaches.”
While the Patriots secured quarterback Drake Maye with the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the team’s struggles were expected given the rebuilding process under a rookie head coach and quarterback. Still, with Maye’s talent, many fans didn’t anticipate the Patriots performing this poorly, and the loss to Miami marked their worst showing yet.
Despite the growing frustration among fans, patience remains essential. Mayo needs time to work with a stronger roster before judgments about his future as head coach can fairly be made.
